Shoe cover

ABSTRACT

A shoe cover for a shoe, the shoe cover comprising a lower periphery having a strip of projections and a slider with a tab. A first edge extends from one end of the lower periphery has a strip of projections and a slider with a tab. A second edge extends from another end of the lower periphery also has a strip of projections. The first and second edges are reversibly fastenable by pulling the slider along the strips of projections of the first and second edges. The strip of projections on the lower periphery is reversibly fastenable to a strip of projections on a shoe. The tabs on the sliders are interlockable where the sliders are pulled to the end of the strips of projections.

RELATED PATENT DATA

This patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/609,014 which was filed Sep. 9, 2004, and to Singapore Patent Application No. 200404416-0 which was filed Aug. 6, 2004, each of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to footwear, more particularly to shoes which are used daily for style and fashion considerations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shoes, have basic utilitarian considerations, also they are associated style and fashion considerations. Decorative materials and fabrics are used along with colour, ornamentation and endorsements.

There is no satisfactory way of cleaning shoes thoroughly within a reasonable amount of time when the upper portions of shoes get soiled and/or stained. Generally shoes are washed and dried conventionally at home or commercially. The upper portions of a shoe may become worn or damaged through normal use. Thus the fashion qualities and functional qualities of the shoe are diminished and the useful life of the shoe is substantially reduced through repeated washing and through normal use. As a practical matter, once the shoes are too soiled, dirty or worn from use, they get downgraded from everyday fashion use, and relegated to the status of a work shoe, or are completely discarded.

Various attempts have been made to deal with this problem in the prior art. Approaches have included providing changeable uppers and sole structures so that the upper and the sole can be independently mixed and matched.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,693 to Brown describes a slide fastener or zipper which is utilized to attach the upper and sole of the footwear together, however, the structural integrity of the combination leaves much to be desired. Further, the zipper may be easily damaged when used in such manner resulting in a complete scrapping of the shoe or very expensive repairs required with very few craftsmen capable of undertaking such a repair.

Another approach is to put simple covers on shoes. The shoe cover alleviates the problem of the shoe becoming soiled and dirty or too worn from use. The shoe cover forms a protective layer around the shoe. The shoe cover can be changed when it becomes soiled or worn from use.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,564 to Kettner describes a changeable cover for the upper portion of an athletic shoe which includes a tongue and lace eyelets all of which are fastened to the underlying structure by means of combination of nylon hook and loop fasteners of the Velcro TM type. However hook and loop fasteners become worn out with normal use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,248 to Samuels describes a protective cover to add further protection to the toe and instep portions of said shoes. The protective cover may be completely removed by selectively operable attaching means, to provide access to the entire body of the shoe for repair, cleaning etc. Alternatively, the attaching means may be interrupted at the tip, so as to provide a permanent connection of the protective cover to the shoe, but still retaining the ability to swing the protective cover away from contact with most of the shoe, so as to permit servicing. The closure means and the attaching means may be a slide fastener or a zipper. Alternatively, the fastening means known as Velcro TM may be used. The protective cover provides an energy-absorbing portion over a limited area for the purpose of protecting the foot of the wearer. The protective cover does not completely cover the shoe leaving parts uncovered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a shoe cover which forms a protective and fashionable layer over the surface of a shoe upper and secured to the shoe by a system of fasteners which overcomes the above disadvantages or provides the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first embodiment the present invention may be said to consist in a shoe cover for a shoe said shoe cover comprising:

a lower periphery having a strip of projections and a slider with a tab;

a first edge extending from one end of the lower periphery having a strip of projections and a slider with a tab;

a second edge extending from another end of the lower periphery having a strip of projections;

wherein the first and second edges are reversibly fastenable by pulling the slider along the strips of projections of the first edge and the second edge;

the strip of projections on the lower periphery is reversibly fastenable to a strip of projections on a shoe; and

the tabs on each slider are interlockable where the sliders are pulled to the end of the strips of projections

Accordingly in a second embodiment the present invention may be said to consist in a shoe cover and shoe assembly comprising:

the shoe cover of the first embodiment;

a strip of projections circumventing a shoe;

wherein the strip of projections on the lower periphery of said shoe cover is reversibly fastened to a strip of projections on said shoe by pulling along the strips of projections of said shoe cover and said shoe;

the first and second edges are reversibly fastened by pulling the slider along the strips of projections of the first edge and the second edge; and

each slider is held in position by interlocking of the tabs on each slider where the sliders are pulled to the end of the strips of projections.

Accordingly in a third embodiment the present invention may be said to consist in a shoe cover and shoe assembly comprising:

a lower periphery of the shoe cover having a strip of projections;

a first edge of the shoe cover extending from one end of the lower periphery having a strip of projections and a slider with a tab;

a second edge of the shoe cover extending from another end of the lower periphery having a strip of projections;

a strip of projections circumventing the shoe having a slider with a tab;

wherein the strip of projections on the lower periphery of the shoe cover is reversibly fastened to a strip of projections on the shoe by pulling along the strips of projections of the shoe cover and the shoe;

the first and second edges are reversibly fastened by pulling the slider along the strips of projections of the first edge and the second edge; and

each slider is held in position by interlocking of the tabs on each slider where the sliders are pulled to the end of the strips of projections.

Preferably the shoe cover has holes for shoelaces.

Preferably one tab has a male coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention without holes for shoelaces and having a zip at the heel portion;

FIG. 2 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention with holes for shoelaces and having a zip at the heel portion;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoe of the present invention without holes for shoelaces adapted to receive the shoe cover of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention without holes for shoelaces and having a zip at the heel portion;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe of the present invention without holes for shoelaces adapted to receive the shoe cover of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention with holes for shoelaces and having a zip at the heel portion;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe of the present invention with holes for shoelaces adapted to receive the shoe cover of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention with holes for shoelaces and having a zip at the heel portion;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe of the present invention without holes for shoelaces adapted to receive the shoe cover of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention with holes for shoelaces and having a zip at the heel portion of the shoe;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention without holes for shoelaces and having the zip at the front portion;

FIG. 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention with holes for shoelaces and having the zip at the front portion;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of an embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention with the first zip in use;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of an embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention with the first zip zipped and the second zip in use;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention with the first and second zips zipped and the two zips interlocked;

FIG. 12A is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing two zips prior to being interlocked;

FIG. 12B is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing two zips prior to being interlocked;

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing two zips interlocked;

FIG. 13 is a rear view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a shoe cover with the first zip done and the second zip done and the two zips interlocked;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention showing two zips prior to being interlocked;

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention showing two zips interlocked;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a shoe cover with the first and second zips zipped and the two zips interlocked;

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips prior to being interlocked;

FIG. 16B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips in the process of being interlocked;

FIG. 16C is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips interlocked;

FIG. 17A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips in the process of being interlocked;

FIG. 17B is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips interlocked;

FIG. 18 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention with the first and second zips zipped and the two zips interlocked;

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips prior to being interlocked;

FIG. 19B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips in the process of being interlocked;

FIG. 19C is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips interlocked;

FIG. 19D is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips interlocked;

FIG. 20 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a shoe cover of the present invention with the first and second zips zipped and the two zips interlocked;

FIG. 21A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips prior to being interlocked;

FIG. 21B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips in the process of being interlocked; and

FIG. 21C is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing two zips interlocked.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a shoe cover 8, which is discontinuous prior to use, is shown. The shoe cover 8 may be made from any suitable material or fabric.

Suitable materials include soft leather, substitute leather, nylon velveteen, velvet, jaconet, toweling, lycra, BK cloth, garment, any mesh cloths (such as plastic mesh cloth, anti-slip foaming mesh cloth, sandwich mesh cloth, elastic mesh cloth and various triangular, quadrangle, hexagonal, rhombus or square shaped double-color mesh cloth), PVC, neoprene, suede and various plastic and other polymer variants. The shoe cover 8 in use has a specific orientation as illustrated in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3 shows a shoe cover 8 orientated to fit onto a shoe 22. Further description of the shoe cover 8 will be based on this orientation. Relating to FIGS. 3 to 6 and FIGS. 3B to 6B the shoe cover 8 comprises a front portion 10. The lower periphery 12 has a strip of projections running along its entire length. The strips of projections form one half of a normal zipper connection and may be attached by sewing or by other methods. A slider 14 is engaged with the strip of projections 12 and is movable from one end of the strip of projections 12 a to the end of the strip of projections 12 b. A tab 15 is connected to the slider 14 for pulling on the slider 14. An upper periphery 13 on the shoe cover 8 does not have a strip of projections and corresponds to the portion of the shoe 28, which encircles the ankle of a user.

A first edge 16 extends upwards from one end 18 a of the lower periphery 12 to the other end 18 b at the upper periphery 13. A second edge 18 extends upwards from the other end of the lower periphery 12 to the upper periphery 13. Both the first edge 16 and the second edge 18 have a strip of projections. The strips of projections are attached in the same manner as discussed earlier. A slider 20 is engaged with the strip of projections on the first edge 16 and is movable along the entire length of the strip of projection from one end 16 b, 18 b at the junction with the upper periphery 13 to the other end at the junction 16 a, 18 a with lower periphery 12. A tab 19 is connected to the slider 20 for pulling on the slider 20. The first edge 16 and the second edge 18 are at the end of the shoe cover, which corresponds with the heel 24 of the shoe 22. The shoe cover 8 in FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention with the shoe cover having holes 21 for shoelaces and can be used with a slip on shoe to change the look to a shoe with shoelaces.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 3A, a shoe cover 8 is positioned over a shoe 22 forming a protective layer. The shoe cover 8 is formed to match the shape and structure of the shoe 22. A strip of projections 26 is positioned on and extends completely around the shoe 22. The strip of projections 26 may be positioned on the shoe upper 23 or on the sole 27 but is preferably positioned at the seam joining the shoe upper 23 and the sole 27. At the seam the strip of projections 26 is in the least obtrusive position on the shoe 22. This position helps to make the projection 26 less obvious in use.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 6 and 6A different combinations are illustrated by which the shoe cover 8 may be used with the shoe 22. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 4A the shoe cover 8 can be fitted onto a shoe 22 with holes 29 for laces. In FIGS. 5 and 5A both the shoe cover has holes 21 and the shoe has holes 30 for shoelaces which are aligned correspondingly when the shoe cover 8 is fitted onto the shoe 22. FIGS. 6 and 6A show a combination with only the shoe cover 8 having the holes 21.

An alternative embodiment of the shoe cover 8 is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. In this embodiment the first edge 16 and the second edge 18 are at the end of the shoe cover 8, which corresponds to the toe portion 25 of the shoe 22. The rear portion 32 of the shoe cover 8 corresponds with the heel portion 24 of the shoe 22. The shoe cover 8 in FIG. 8 has holes 21 for shoelaces while the cover 8 shown in FIG. 7 does not.

With reference to FIG. 9, a shoe cover 8 is illustrated partially fastened onto a shoe 22. The strip of projections on the lower periphery 12 of the shoe cover 8 is aligned to the strip of projections 26 on the shoe 22 and fastened together by pulling the slider 14 over them. The slider 14 is pulled from its initial position 16 b at the heel portion 24 around the front portion 25 of the shoe 22 to return to the heel portion 24, which is the end point 16 a. In this way the shoe cover 8 is attached to the shoe 22 along the entire length of the strip of projections 26 and thus completely around the shoe 22. The upper periphery 13 also becomes aligned to the ankle portion 28. It is to be understood that the initial position of the slider 14 may be at any point on the strip of projections 26, which will also be its eventual end point. Such a cover is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The location of the start/end point is related to the positions of the first edge 16 and the second edge 18. Thus the start point is on the first edge 16 and the end point is on the second edge 18. It is to be understood that the opposite configuration is also possible. The slider 14 attached to the shoe cover 8 joins to the projections 26 of the shoe 22 in the normal manner like joining the zip of for example a jacket.

With reference to FIG. 10, the shoe cover 8 is on the shoe 22 and the slider 14 is at its end position 12 b. The strip of projections on the first edge 16 and the second edge 18 are aligned and fastened by pulling slider 20 over them from its initial position 16 b, 18 b at the junction with the upper periphery 13 towards the other end 16 a, 18 a at the junction with the lower periphery 12. Near to its end point the slider 20 eventually comes into contact with the slider 14. At this position the shoe cover 8 completely covers the shoe upper 23 and thus forms protective layer over the shoe upper 23. To ensure that sliders 14 and 20 remain in place the tabs 15, 19 of the sliders 14, 20 are interlocked.

It is to be understood that a shoe 22 may be selectively attached to any one of a number of shoe covers 8, which are of different designs, different colour combinations or different configuration. Another advantage of the shoe cover 8 is that it will facilitate maintaining the appearance of the shoe 22 underneath the shoe cover 8. The shoe cover 8 of the present invention may be put on the shoe 22 while the shoe 22 is worn.

With reference to FIG. 11, in a preferred embodiment of the tabs 19, 15 according to the invention are interlocked thereby maintaining the sliders in place. FIGS. 12A to 12C illustrate the process by which the tabs 19, 15 become interlocked.

One tab 42 has a male protrusion, which fits into and is grasped by a corresponding female opening in slider 40 when the two sliders are interlocked. Both tabs are circular in shape. FIGS. 13, 14A and 14B show an alternative preferred embodiment with the sliders 40, 42 having rectangular shapes.

FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16A shows a tab 44 with a rod shaped connection. The second tab 46 is adapted to receive the rod shaped connection. With reference to FIGS. 16B and 16C, the rod shaped connection of the first tab 44 slides into the second tab 46. With reference to FIG. 17A, the rod shaped connection is inserted into the tab 46. The tabs 44, 46 become interlocked by moving the tabs from a position where they are perpendicular to each other to a position where they are in a level plane. FIG. 17B show the tabs in a level plane.

FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 19A, a first tab 48 has an extension with a flange within. The flange is flexible and has an abutment surface. With reference to FIG. 19B, the entire extension is insertable into the second tab 50. As the first tab 48 is inserted into the second tab 50 the flange comes into contact with and is pushed away from a surface of the second tab 50. One side of the second tab 50 has a hole and as the first tab 48 is inserted further the flange clears the surface of the first tab 50 and springs into the hole with its abutment surface coming into contact with the first tab 50. With reference to FIGS. 19C and 19D the tabs are interlocked.

FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B, the tabs 52, 54 are adapted to be partially inserted into each other. In this position the tabs are not in the same plane. With reference to FIG. 21C, the tabs are moved to an interlocking position by pushing the tabs into a level plane.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. 

1. A shoe cover for a shoe said shoe cover comprising: a lower periphery having a strip of projections and a slider with a tab; a first edge extending from one end of the lower periphery having a strip of projections and a slider with a tab; a second edge extending from another end of the lower periphery having a strip of projections; wherein the first and second edges are reversibly fastenable by pulling the slider along the strips of projections of the first edge and the second edge; the strip of projections on the lower periphery is reversibly fastenable to a strip of projections on a shoe; and the tabs on each slider are interlockable where the sliders are pulled to the end of the strips of projections
 2. A shoe cover and shoe assembly comprising: the shoe cover of claim 1; a strip of projections circumventing a shoe; wherein the strip of projections on the lower periphery of said shoe cover is reversibly fastened to a strip of projections on said shoe by pulling along the strips of projections of said shoe cover and said shoe; the first and second edges are reversibly fastened by pulling the slider along the strips of projections of the first edge and the second edge; and each slider is held in position by interlocking of the tabs on each slider where the sliders are pulled to the end of the strips of projections.
 3. A shoe cover and shoe assembly comprising: a lower periphery of the shoe cover having a strip of projections; a first edge of the shoe cover extending from one end of the lower periphery having a strip of projections and a slider with a tab; a second edge of the shoe cover extending from another end of the lower periphery having a strip of projections; a strip of projections circumventing the shoe having a slider with a tab; wherein the strip of projections on the lower periphery of the shoe cover is reversibly fastened to a strip of projections on the shoe by pulling along the strips of projections of the shoe cover and the shoe; the first and second edges are reversibly fastened by pulling the slider along the strips of projections of the first edge and the second edge; and each slider is held in position by interlocking of the tabs on each slider where the sliders are pulled to the end of the strips of projections.
 4. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 1 having holes for shoelaces.
 5. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 2 having holes for shoelaces.
 6. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 3 having holes for shoelaces.
 7. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein one tab has a male coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
 8. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 2 wherein one tab has a male coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
 9. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 3 wherein one tab has a male coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
 10. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 4 wherein one tab has a male coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
 11. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 5 wherein one tab has a male coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element.
 12. A shoe cover as claimed in claim 6 wherein one tab has a male coupling element and the other tab has a female coupling element adapted to receive and hold the male coupling element. 